Russia 1839-SP NG 25 kopeks
The first specimen was lot 200 in Sincona sale 65 (Zürich, October 2020), where it did not sell. The catalog description[1] noted,
"25 Kopecks 1839, St. Petersburg Mint, SPB NG. Beautiful patina. Proof. (25 копеек 1839, СПб МД, СПБ НГ. 5,18 г. Биткин 282. Прекрасная патина. Пруф.)"
This type is listed for 1832-58 and has a low catalog value in circulated condition. A few are known from the Warsaw mint (KM C166.2). The second specimen was lot 42584 in Stack's Bowers ANA sale (Chicago, August 2024), where it sold for $1,320. The catalog description[2] noted, "Very Rare 'С.П.Б' Initials Error, RUSSIA. 25 Kopeks, 1839-CBN HT. St. Petersburg Mint. Nicholas I. NGC EF-45. Variety with swapped mintmark letters. A VERY RARE variant in which the creator inadvertently swapped the order of the last two letters in the mintmark, this wholesome minor displays some evidence of time in circulation, but remains without issue and with a mix of gunmetal gray and subtle amber toning throughout."
Recorded mintage: 2,738,000, a fairly common date.
Specification: 5.18 g, 0.868 fine silver, the first specimen 5.18 g.
Catalog reference: Bitkin 282, KM C166.1. The second specimen is Bit-283.
- Bitkin, Vladimir, Composite Catalogue of Russian Coins, Part II (1740-1917), Kiev: Moneta, 2003.
- Harris, Robert P., Guidebook of Russian Coins, 1725 to 1970, Santa Cruz, CA: Bonanza Press, 1971.
- Michael, Thomas, and Tracy L. Schmidt, Standard Catalog of World Coins, 1801-1900, 9th ed., Iola, WI: Krause Publications, 2019.
- [1]Jürg Richter, Auction 65, Russian Coins and Medals, Zürich: Sincona AG, 2020.
- [2]Orsini, Matt, Kyle Ponterio and Jeremy Bostwick, August 2024 Global Showcase Auction, World & Ancient Coins, featuring The Emilio M. Ortiz Collection, The Richard Margolis Collection and The Rutherford Collection, Costa Mesa, CA: Stack's Bowers Galleries, Inc., 2024.
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